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I am using the YouVersion 49 Week Bible Challenge for these devotions. Today’s readings are Mark 5: Leviticus 15; Psalm 142.
Mark 5:21-43
And when Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a great crowd gathered about him, and he was beside the sea. 22 Then came one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name, and seeing him, he fell at his feet 23 and implored him earnestly, saying, “My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well and live.” 24 And he went with him.
And a great crowd followed him and thronged about him. 25 And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, 26 and who had suffered much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was no better but rather grew worse. 27 She had heard the reports about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his garment. 28 For she said, “If I touch even his garments, I will be made well.” 29 And immediately the flow of blood dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. 30 And Jesus, perceiving in himself that power had gone out from him, immediately turned about in the crowd and said, “Who touched my garments?” 31 And his disciples said to him, “You see the crowd pressing around you, and yet you say, ‘Who touched me?’” 32 And he looked around to see who had done it. 33 But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling and fell down before him and told him the whole truth. 34 And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.”
35 While he was still speaking, there came from the ruler’s house some who said, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?” 36 But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe.” 37 And he allowed no one to follow him except Peter and James and John the brother of James. 38 They came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and Jesus saw a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. 39 And when he had entered, he said to them, “Why are you making a commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but sleeping.” 40 And they laughed at him. But he put them all outside and took the child’s father and mother and those who were with him and went in where the child was. 41 Taking her by the hand he said to her, “Talitha cumi,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.” 42 And immediately the girl got up and began walking (for she was twelve years of age), and they were immediately overcome with amazement. 43 And he strictly charged them that no one should know this, and told them to give her something to eat.
Two touching events happen that impact three people directly, as well as several bystanders, and a multitude of people through the ages.
The father of the child who lay sick in bed is impacted in many ways. He was concerned about his daughter’s illness. He was no doubt also distressed by the interruption of the woman with the issue of blood and Jesus’ attention to her. How relieved and joy-filled he must have been when Jesus healed his daughter.
The woman with the issue of blood was not touched by Jesus but instead reached out to touch the hem of his garment. I love this imagery. This is testimony to both her desperation and her faith. And in that touch through faith she was healed. After 12 years of misery and shame.
The touch of Jesus as he took the little girl by the hand and said, Talitha Cumi, the interesting touch of Mark recording the Aramaic. “Little girl, arise.” This particularly touches me as I think of the tender care Jesus took her by the hand. I think of my sister Kathy who died in our home at the age of just under 7 years. I love the thought of Jesus reaching out to take her hand and bring her back to life in the life of the world to come.
Perhaps you can identify with the woman who had a chronic illness and sought to touch the hem of Jesus’ robe. Maybe you can feel the anguish of the anxious father seeking help for his little daughter. Maybe you’re like the disciples, who said “You see the crowd pressing around you, and yet you say, ‘Who touched me?’”
The touch of Jesus is precious, healing, freeing, and saving. May his grace touch our hearts and bring us healing, hope, peace, and joy.
PS: If you wish to hear my sermon from June 14, 2025 Trinity Sunday/Father’s Day, click here.
David Bahn - Reflections 
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